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College Catalog

Computer Science – Associate of Science (AS) – NEW degree plan effective Fall 2024

Program: Computer Science
Award: Associate of Science
Specialization: Computer Science
Plan Code: 246
CIP Code: 11.0701
Length: 61 credit hours. Program is designed for both full-time and part-time students. All program courses can be completed by distance learning.
Locations: Franklin, Suffolk, Smithfield, Online
Lead Faculty: Zach Lawrence

Purpose

This University Parallel Program leads to the Associate of Science Degree (AS). It is the first two years of a four-year college or university degree, usually the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree.

Transfer Options

The AS Computer Science is specifically designed to provide the student with preparation necessary to transfer to a university program in Computer Science. This curriculum is aligned with the Virginia Community College System Common Curriculum for Computer Science. Students should use the Transfer Virginia Portal (transfervirginia.org) to consult the transfer guide(s) for the four-year institution(s) to which they want to transfer. Because certain majors have specialized requirements, students should become familiar with their particular requirements of the major at the four-year school to which they intend to transfer and then discuss these requirements with their advisors in order to select the correct courses at Camp Community College.

Students seeking immediate employment in the computing field will probably be better served by choosing one of the IST specializations in the management program. However, those students who desire to complete a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science can get the foundation necessary to transfer. Courses are taught with the ACM (Association for Computing Machinery) guidelines and will parallel university instruction. In addition, students are encouraged to select Mathematics courses based on where they plan to transfer. Students should understand that most university computer science programs require engineering calculus.

Student Learning Outcomes

The General Studies degree provides a coherent, shared experience for students to develop the general education core competencies expected of them as college-educated individuals. Upon completion of the associate degree, graduates demonstrate competency in 1) civic engagement, 2) critical thinking, 3) professional readiness, 4) quantitative literacy, 5) scientific literacy, and 6) written communication, defined as follows:

Civic Engagement is the ability to contribute to the civic life and well-being of local, national, and global communities as both as social responsibility and a life-long learning process. Degree graduates will demonstrate the knowledge and civic values necessary to become informed and contributing participants in a democratic society.

Critical Thinking is the ability to use information, ideas and arguments from relevant perspectives to make sense of complex issues and solve problems. Degree graduates will locate, evaluate, interpret, and combine information to reach well-reasoned conclusions or solutions.

Professional Readiness is the ability to work well with others and display situationally and culturally appropriate demeanor and behavior. Degree graduates will demonstrate skills important for successful transition into the workplace and pursuit of further education.

Quantitative Literacy is the ability to perform accurate calculations, interpret quantitative information, apply and analyze relevant numerical data, and use results to support conclusions. Degree graduates will calculate, interpret, and use numerical and quantitative information in a variety of settings.

Scientific Literacy is the ability to apply the scientific method and related concepts and principles to make informed decisions and engage with issues related to the natural, physical, and social world. Degree graduates will recognize and know how to us the scientific method, and to evaluate empirical information.

Written Communication is the ability to develop, convey, and exchange ideas in writing, as appropriate to a given context and audience. Degree graduates will express themselves effectively in a variety of written forms.

Students earning a degree in Computer Science will also demonstrate an understanding of computing math concepts and demonstrate an understanding of hierarchical structure of computer architecture.

Admission Requirements: General Admission to the College is required. Students must complete placement tests (or equivalent) in English and mathematics. Students with deficiencies in these areas will be required to take appropriate developmental or co-requisite courses. New students and returning students should see an advisor for more information.

AS Computer Science (246): Required Courses and Credits, Sample Schedule
CourseDescriptionCredits
First Year – Fall Term
ENG 111College Composition I3
MTH 161Pre-Calculus I3
HumanitiesAny UCGS Approved Humanities, Art, or Literature3
Social ScienceAny UCGS Approved Social Science3
CSC 221Introduction to Problem Solving and Programming33
SDV 100College Success Skills1
Total Semester Credits17
First Year – Spring Term
ENG 112College Composition II3
MTH 162Pre-Calculus II13
HumanitiesArts/Literature Elective3
CSC 222Object-Oriented Programming34
HistoryAny UCGS Approved History3
Total Semester Credits16
Second Year – Fall Term
ScienceAny UCGS Approved Natural Science4
CST 100Principles of Public Speaking3
MTH 263Calculus I4
CSC 205Computer Organization3
Total Semester Credits14
Second Year – Spring Term
ScienceAny TransferVA Approved Science4
MTH 264 / 245Calculus II or Statistics I4
CSC 223Data Structures and Analysis of Algorithms34
CSC 208Introduction to Discrete Structures3
Total Semester Credits15
Total Program Credits61

Program Footnotes:
1. Students cannot select two humanities courses from the same subgroup. If one is a humanities course the other cannot be a humanities course. Some universities require a literature course in the second year.
2. PHY 202 should only be considered for BA in Computer Science Programs. Consult your transferring college’s Transfer Guide.
3. Students should consider the programming languages required by the university they want to choose for transfer. Camp currently uses C++ for CSC 221 and CSC 222, and Java for CSC 223. Camp may be able to help students get the language they desire with appropriate advanced planning.